Which UK cities have ULEZ or Clean Air Zones including Birmingham and Portsmouth

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zones) have become a hot subject of discussion, particularly in London.

While it was designed to combat air pollution and improve the health of many of the capital’s residents, the scheme has proved controversial since its inception.

In London, the announcement that the scheme was going to be expanded from August 2023 was welcomed by some but also inspired protests.

Some campaigners have expressed concerns over the affordability, with others branding the plan as money-grabbing.

Transport for London recently announced that over 90% of cars driving in outer London now meet the ULEZ standards, and Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said, ‘This new data shows people, businesses and charities understand the impact of air pollution on health and are preparing for the change.’

However, does anywhere else in the UK operate similar clean air policies?

Here is what you need to know.

What is a Clean Air Zone?

Introduced as a concept in 2015, Clean Air Zones, as the name implies, are attempts by the regional government (working to a national framework) to improve the air quality in their area, usually through controls on traffic pollution.

According to the RAC, ‘There are two types of Clean Air Zone: non-charging and charging. In a non-charging CAZ, the focus is on improving air quality without charging money for vehicles entering the zone itself.

‘Measures can include retrofitting certain vehicles with pollution controls, traffic-flow management to reduce vehicle emissions (where evidence suggests this approach would be effective on the road in question), rerouting traffic or other local solutions.

‘In a charging zone, drivers must pay a fee to enter the area if their vehicle fails to meet the required environmental standards for that zone. Current requirements are based on a car’s Euro emissions standard.’

Clean Air Zones are split into four classes – A, B, C, and D – each excluding certain vehicle types.

Which UK cities have Clean Air Zones?

You can also use Gov.UK to check if your vehicle is compliant with these zones.

Liverpool, Southampton, Derby, Leeds, and Nottingham have all looked at introducing CAZ policies but are yet to do so. Some cities also delayed their CAZ in response to Covid-19.

Which UK cities have ULEZ?

A present, London is the only city to have a specific ULEZ policy that operates slightly differently from Clean Air Zone legislation.

However, a ‘London-style’ ULEZ policy has been talked about for cities like Brighton.

The Argus reported Brighton Deputy council leader Hannah Allbrooke as saying, ‘The London-style zone would mean you enter the zone and you charge – that’s what we would be looking at.

‘We have been looking at what a liveable city would look like and where that would be placed and how we would do that. It is expanding something we have started the initial work on, but have not yet been able to deliver.’

MORE : How does Ulez differ from the congestion charge – and do you need to pay both?

MORE : All you need to know about the Ulez vehicle scrapping scheme – how it works and check if you’re eligible

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